Dr. Donald Lannin, executive director of the Yale-New Haven Breast Center, meets with a patient. Most of the women who have concerns about breast abnormalities are actually cancer-free, he says.

Center aims to ease patients'
anxiety about breast cancer

The new Yale-New Haven Breast Center, which offers complete care for women seeking diagnosis or treatment of benign or malignant breast abnormalities, was dedicated Nov. 19 in a newly renovated and private space in the Yale Physicians Building at 800 Howard Ave.

"The new Yale-New Haven Breast Center represents a huge improvement in the quality of care we can offer our patients," said Dr. Donald Lannin, executive director of the center and professor of surgery and oncology at the School of Medicine. "We expect that our patients will greatly appreciate both the enhanced care coordination and personal service we are able to offer."

The center addresses several important patient needs -- all-inclusive services, privacy and reassurance, said Lannin. He notes that although breast cancer strikes one in eight women nationally, it is expected that only 6% of the women who seek medical care at the center actually will have breast cancer.

"As soon as a woman has any breast abnormalities, such as cysts and calcifications, it becomes the most important thing in her life," noted Lannin, who developed the center along with Dr. Carol Lee, professor of diagnostic radiology and chief of breast imaging at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Lee said that since the majority of patients seen at a breast center do not have cancer, staff at the new facility will seek to diminish the patients' anxiety by providing information and speedier test results. Appointments will be made within 24 to 48 hours, she added.

Dr. Dennis Spencer, interim dean of the School of Medicine, and Joseph Zaccagnino, president and chief executive officer of Yale-New Haven Hospital, said at the dedication ceremony that the collaboration is a landmark event for the two institutions and a timely response to one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women.

"This disease is a scourge today," Spencer said. "There are 4,000 new cases of breast cancer in Connecticut alone each year, and 500 deaths. These are statistics we can deal with and change. This is the place where that begins."

He pointed out that, rather than sending patients from one building to another for examination, testing, diagnosis, counseling and treatment, the new facility brings together physicians and patients in one place.

Patients also will benefit from the fact that the breast center is part of a teaching and research institution that is continually investigating new treatments for breast cancer, Spencer said.

"We can offer education in the broadest sense, for the next generation of physicians caring for breast cancer, for patients' families, for other caregivers and for physicians wishing to continue the process of lifelong learning," he noted.

The center will feature a multi-disciplinary team of breast radiologists, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, mammography technicians, and medical and clinical assistants, who will provide coordinated care with an individualized treatment plan.

The Yale-New Haven Breast Center features state-of-the-art technology in its examination rooms, section of breast imaging and adjoining minor surgery suite. Yet the facility was also designed with a focus on privacy and comfort, notes Lannin. It is located in a separate area of the Yale Physician's Building in the lower level. The colors are muted, and many of the offices have large windows looking into a landscaped courtyard.

According to Lannin, these accommodations were based in part on recommendations from Dr. Robert Udelsman, chair of surgery, professor of surgery and oncology, and chief of surgery at Yale-New Haven Hospital, who knew from experience that women who are worried that they might have breast cancer are more comfortable at a comprehensive center with a more private entrance.

The new center will also play a critical role in recruiting and retaining top-notch physicians and staff, notes Lannin, pointing out that patients want the expertise of specialists, and specialists want the focus provided by an all-inclusive center.

Lannin and Lee said they are committed to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast disease through compassionate, coordinated care. They note that women who need routine screening, are at high-risk for breast cancer, have had abnormal mammograms, have found a breast lump or other symptoms, or have received breast biopsy results showing cancer can all benefit from an evaluation at the Yale-New Haven Breast Center.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (203) 785-2328.

-- By Renee Gaudette

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Groundbreakings celebrate construction of new chemistry and
engineering buildings

• Facility will support state-of-the-art research . . .
  
  
• Building will house new Department of Biomedical Engineering
  
  

Eire autobiography wins National Book Award

Dyslexia has been hurdle for scientist and 'Ironman' competitor

ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS

• DiMaio is appointed as Von Zedtwitz Professor of Genetics
  
  
• Hebert designated as C.N.H. Long Professor of Physiology
  
  
• Somlo named as C.N.H. Long Professor in Internal Medicine
  
  

In Focus: Center for Faith and Culture

Center aims to ease patients' anxiety about breast cancer

Noël Valis' book awarded Modern Language Association prize

Journalist reports greater willingness to talk openly in China

City students to study Shakespeare in new Yale Rep program

Drama School to stage Wilder's play about 'First Family'

Human evolution preserved in 'pseudogenes,' say scientists

Study: Mother's anti-depressant doesn't affect her nursing baby

Study shows spiritual belief and prayer can aid high-risk youth

The Fine Art of Shopping

'Sacred spaces' on campus featured in new calendar

Alternative Gift Market allows shoppers to help the world's poor

Pepper Center awards will support research related to aging process

Scientists to refine literacy game with support from grant

Dr. Barry Kacinski dies; renowned for work in field of DNA repair

Leon Clark dies; his work enhanced understanding of other cultures

Yale Books in Brief

Campus Notes

---

Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News

Bulletin Board|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines

Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home

---